Toy



March 12, 1963 M. I. GLASS ETAL 3,

TOY

Filed April 11. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 12, 1963 M. GLASS ETAL 3,081,034

- TOY Filed April n, 1960 2 sheets-sheet 2 @MWJMMWFM United States Patent Filed Apr. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 21,268

12 Claims. c1. 272 27 This invention in general relates to a toy and in particular to a toy including a box or chest in combination with a noise-producing toy gun which is concealed Within the chest and which is adapted to fire automatically when the lid of the chest is raised.

It is an object of this invention to provide a childs amusement device of: the character describedu An additional object of the invention is to provide a device for a child which will surprise unsuspecting friends. A further object of this invention is to provide a chest for a child capable of storing small objects within it and having in combination a toy cap gun which remains concealed when the lid of the chest is closed, but which swings out and fires at the one who opened the chest when the lid is raised. A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described having means associated with it whereby the surprise element may be rendered inoperative. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the invention showing the chest when the lidhas been raised, and the gun immediately after it has discharged;

FIGURE 2 is a detailed view of the gun shown in FIGURE 1 as it would appear in its position immediately adjacent the lid of the chest both when the gun is cocked and when the gun-releasing mechanism is set;

FIGURE 3 is a view of the gun-releasing mechanism embodied in the toy shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 as it would appear in the set position when looking in the direction of the gun;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the toy shown in FIGURE 1, showing the lid in the raised and lowered positions, both before and after the 'gun has discharge-d;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the gun-releasing mechanism taken along line 55 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE '6 is a detailed view of the latch which constitutes a part of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a view of the gun-releasing mechanism as it appears on co-operation with a portion of the latch during the normal operation of the mechanism; and

FIGURES 8 throughlO are views of the gun-releasing mechanism as to cooperates with a portion of the latch during the opening and closing of the lid in which the mechanism is rendered inoperative.

The toy illustrated comprises generally a chest 11 having concealed within it a toy gun 13 capable of producing a noise when its hammer 15 is released from a cocked or semi-cocked position. The gun as shown in the preferred embodiment of FIGURE 2 represents a cap gun, but any toy gun having noise producing characteristics could be employed. The gun '13 is pivotally mounted adjacent the lid 17 of the chest 11, and a biasing means 19 is positioned between the gun 13 andthe lid 17 in order that the gun may have a tendency to pivot to a position substantially at right angles to the plane of the lid. Gun-releasing means 18 are provided which release the gun and allow it to pivot when the lid of the chest is raised, and further means 20 are provided for releasing the hammer 15 from the semi-cocked position so as to enable the gun to produce the desired sound, e.g., fire a cap. Means are also providedinthe illustrated embodi- "3,081,084 Patented Mar. 12, 1963 ment for temporarily deactivating the gun-releasing mechanism to create an added element of mystery.

More specifically, the illustrated toy comprises a chest 11 having a lid 17 hinged along an edge 21 of side 23 by hinging means 25. The chest is shown in the preferred embodiment of FIGURE 1 as a treasure chest, but it should be apparent that various other designs would be suitable.

Concealed within the chest 11 and pivotally mounted adjacent the lid 17 is the gun 13. The gun 13 need not be of any particular design, but is shown in the pre ferred embodiment as a toy gun of the type used to fire caps and includes a hammer 15, a barrel 27, a trigger 28, and a stock 29 having a cylindrical cavity 31 extending upwardly from the butt of the stock 29 as shown in FIGURE 2. As is generally the case with guns of this type, movement of the hammer 15 striking a cap (not shown) placed appropriately within the gun -13- ignites the cap and produces a noise simulating the discharge of a gun.

It has been found that the proper placing of the gun within the chest is somewhat facilitated by the use of a gun having a hammer which temporarily locks when withdrawn at certain distance, i.e., when it is in the cocked position. Thus, it is not necessary to hold the hammer back with one hand while attempting to properly position the gun with the other. When the gun is appropriately positioned, however, pulling of the trigger 28 will allow the hammer to engage the hammer-releasing means 20 and occupy a semi-cocked position. Therefore, as can best be seen in-FIGURE 2, the hammer has both a cocked and a semi-cocked position in addition to the position it occupies immediately after firing (FIGURE 4). This feature of the gun, by which the hammer 15 can be operated by means of the trigger 28, serves as an additional advantage of the toy in that the gun may 'be used independentlyof the chest if the child so desires.

In order that the gun may be pivotally attached to. the inner side of the lid 17, a gun platform 33 is provided. The gun platform includes a supporting plate 35 by which the platform is fastened to the inner side of the lid, a shelf '37 upon which the butt of the gun 1 3 rests, a han dle stop 39 which restricts the pivotal movement of the gun to approximately and a pin 41 designed to occupy the cavity 31 of the gun stock 29, thus providing the means whereby the gun pivots. As can be seen in FIGURES ll and 2, the shelf 37 is disposed generally at right angles to the plate 35 and the handle stop 39 projects upwardly from the shelf 37 and is disposed generally at right angles to both the shelf 37 and the plate 35. The pin 41 projects upwardly from the shelf 37 and is removed from the handle stop 39 by a distance slightly in excess of one-half the thickness of the gun stock 29. Hence, the gun 13 pivots about the axis of the pin 41, but its rotation is limited by the handle stop 39' which is so placed on the shelf 37 that the gun will not move through an anglein excess of 90.

Means '20 for releasing the hammer 15 of the gun 13 from a semi-cocked position are also attached to the inner side 'of the lid 17. The means consist generally of a hammer restraining bracket which includes a plate (not shown), and an arm 47 projecting therefrom. The hammer restraining bracke tis located above the gun platform 33 at a distance which will enable the arm 47 of the bracketto occupy a position immediately in front of the hammer 15 when the hammer is semi-cocked. The arm 47 thus maintains the hammer in the semicocked position. However, as can be seen best from the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, when the gun pivots to a position generally at right angles to the lid, the hammer restraining bracket becomes disengaged from the hammer, releasing it from this position, thus enabling the gun to fire. Since the gun pivots when the lid is raised, it is this feature of the invention which enables the gun to fire simultaneously with the opening of the lid.

In order to retain the gun 13 in a position adjacent the lid 17 until the lid is raised, a latch 49 having a notch 51 at one end is provided. The notch 51 engages a portion of the gun 13 and prevents the gun from pivoting. When the latch is raised, however, as is the case when the chest is opened, the notch becomes disengaged from the gun, allowing the gun to swing out in the direction of the intended victim. The latch 49 is pivotally attached to the inner side of the lid 17 by means of a pin 53, and a biasing means 54 is provided to give it a tendency to rotate about the pin 53 in a counter-clockwise direction. A stop 56 is provided as shown in FIGURE 3 to limit this rotation. A notched platform 55, having a notch 57 defined by ears 59 and 61 projects from the latch arm at generally a right angle. The platform 55 cooperates with the gun-releasing means 18 to make movement of the latch possible when the lid is raised.

It should be noted that when the platform 55 is raised, it will also move away from the gun-releasing means 18, as shown by the arrow in FIGURE 3, describing an are having a radius equal to the distance between the platform 55 and the pin 53. Thus, after the platform has moved upwardly a sufficient distance, it will become disengaged from the sliding portion of the gun-releasing mechanism 18, and the biasing means 54 will cause it to return to its normal position resting against stop 56, while the sliding portion of the means 18 continues to move upward with the movement of the lid. In this manner, the gun can be re-set with the latch 49 when the lid is in the fully raised position. The sliding portion of the gunreleasing means 18 will return to its normal position when the lid is lowered without causing movement of the latch.

Gun-releasing means 18 by which the gun 13 is released and allowed to swing out in the direction of the intendedvictim is also attached to the inner side of the lid 17. The means 18 includes a guide channel 63 having two upstanding parallel plates 65 and 67' appropriately spaced on a plate 69. A sliding member 71 is positioned within the channel and is provided with a notch 73 adapted to engage the ear 61 of the latch platform 55. The sliding member moves in a generally vertical direction within the channel 63, moving up to trip the latch 49 when the lid is raised, and moving downward when the lid is closed. In order that the sliding member may so move with corresponding movement of the lid, it is provided with an angularly disposed arm 75 which cooperates with an actuating bracket 77 attached to the side 23 of the chest to which the lid 17 is hinged. The arm 75' of the sliding member 71 slides along the bracket 77 when the lid is raised, thus causing the sliding member to move in an upward direction and trip the latch 49.

Means for exerting a pressure upon the gun 13 so as to cause it to tend to pivot away from the inner surface of the lid 17 of the chest 11' are provided by av biasing means 19' as shown in the embodiment of FIGURE 3. The biasing means 19 also exerts a pressure on the sliding member 71, tending to cause it to remain in close proximity to the inner surface of the lid 17 so that it will remain in alignment with ear 61 of the latch platform 55. The biasing means 19 is of a bifurcated design to enable it to perform this dual function.

So that the gun-releasing means 18 may remain concealed from the childs view, thus adding to the air of mystery surrounding the toy, a plate 79 is inserted between the gun 13 and the gun-releasing means. The plate 79 is provided with an opening 81 to allow the latch 49 to contact the gun 13, and an opening 83 to all W access to the gun by the restraining arm/l7, and the gun platform 33. The ear 59 of platform 55 extends through the opening 81 to maintain the notch 51 of the latch arm at a relatively constant distance from the surface of the plate 79. In addition, a slot 84 is provided in the upper edge of the plate to permit the sliding member 71 to pass through.

In the operation of the toy, an intended victim will raise the lid 17 of the chest, presumably in an attempted theft of the childs valuables. -As the lid is raised, the actuating arm of the sliding member 71 slides along the guide bracket 77, causing an upward movement of the sliding member. This movement of the sliding member 71 imparts a movement to the latch 49, disengaging the latch from the gun 13. Biasing means 19 then causes the gun to pivot on the pin 41 until it contacts the gun handle stop 39, at which time it will be aimed directly at the victim. Simultaneous with the pivoting of the gun, the hammer restraining bracket arm 47 will become disengaged from the hammer 15 of the gun, releasing it from the semi-cocked position and allowing the gun to discharge.

To add to the fascination and mystery which the toy provides, means of deactivating the gun-releasing mechanism are included, whereby the opening and closing of the lid of the chest will not cause the gun to pivot and fire. In this way, the child can safely gain access to the chest without endangering his life.

The gun-releasing mechanism 18 may be rendered inoperative during the opening and closing of the lid 17 by means of a deactivating button 85 located on the top of the chest as can best be seen in FIGURE 5. Pressing of the button 85 changes the relative position of the sliding member 71 to the latch platform 55, moving the ledge 73 of the sliding member 71 from a position adjacent the ear 59 of the platform as shown in FIGURE 7, to a position opposite the platform notch 57, as shown in FIGURE 8. A biasing means 87 is provided to impart a lateral movement to the sliding member. Finally, automatic resetting of the gun-releasing means 18 is accomplished by providing the sliding member 71 with a notch 89 having a contour shown best in FIGURES 7 through 10.

Referring to these embodiments, FIGURE 7 shows the normal relation between the ledge portion 73 of the sliding member 71 andthe platform 55 of the latch 49. It will be apparent from the illustrated embodiment that any upward movement of the sliding member 71 will cause an upward movement of the latch platform 55 and hence, the latch 49. FIGURE 8 shows the relative position of these members after the release button 85 has been pressed, forcing the sliding member 71 away from the inner surface of the lid 17 until it no longer engages the ear 59 of the platform 55. At the same time, the force exerted by the biasing means 87 has caused the sliding member 71 to move toward the latch 49 so that the ledge 73 of the sliding member occupies the notch 57 of the latch platform. When the pressure on the button 85 is released, the sliding member 71 will move back in the direction of the inner surface of the lid due to the pressure exerted by biasing means 19, but the ledge 73 of the sliding member no longer engages the ear 59 of the latch platform, but instead rests along the lateral edge of the ear. As can be seen in FIGURE 8, an upward movement of the sliding member 71 will not now cause an upward movement of the latch platform, and hence, the latch 49. However, as the sliding member does move in an upward direction, the ledge 73 will pass the ear 59 and the car will fall into the notch 89, allowing the sliding member 71 to move back to its position adjacent the lid 17, as shown" in FIGURE 9. Then, as the lid (is closed, sliding member 71 will move in a downward direction. The lateral edge of the notch -89 will ride along the forward edge of the ear 59 as shown in FIGURE 10 until the upper edge of the ledge 73 is reached, at which time the biasing means 87 will cause the sliding member 71 to move back into the position shown in FIGURE 7.

It will be noted that when the toy is constructed to embodythe deactivation variation, the notch 89 in the sliding member 71 serves a dual function. First, it provides an opening into which the ear 59 may fit so that the sliding member 7 1 can return toa position adjacent the lid :17, as shown in FIGURE 9. In addition, however, even when the button 8 5 is not pressed, the biasing means 87 will cause the sliding member 7:1 to move in the direction of the latch 49 as the sliding member moves upwardly. This lateral movement is restricted by the plate 67 of the channel 69. Nevertheless, were it not for the presence of the notch 89, the latch 49 would not 'be able to fully return to its normal position against the stop 5M5 since the edge of the sliding member 71 would be in the way. The configuration of the notch, in addition, enables the sliding member to easily return to its vertical position as it moves in a downward direction.

As shown in the preferred embodiments of FIGURES l and 4, the chest 11 may further be provided with a false bottom 91 which will also contribute to the mystery and fascination of the toy. The false bottom 91 is shown supported by wedge-shaped strips 93, but a number of supporting means would be suitable. The adding of the false bottom adds to the appeal of the toy since it provides another means of insuring the safety of the valuables stored within the chest.

A toy has thus been provided for a child which includes a storage box or chest and means for protecting valuables stored within it. A child may feel assured that any of his valuables which he places within the chest will be protected, and that anyone attempting to gain access to these valuables will be shot. 0n the other hand, the child can, whenever he desires access to the chest, such as to remove or add a valuable, open the chest without fear of its concealed weapon merely by pressing a button on the lid.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, a toy gun concealed within the container, and means for causing the toy gun to pivot so as to be aimed in the direction of a supposed victim while simulating the firing of an actual gun, when the lid is raised. r

2. A concealed-gun toy comprising a walled container having an open top, a lid for said open top, hinging means connecting said lid to one of the walls of said container, a toy gun concealed within the container and adapted to pivot so as to be aimed in a direction away from said hinging means, and means mechanically connected to said lid effective to cause said toy gun to pivot and simulate the firing of an actual gun when the lid of said container is raised.

3. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, a toy gun pivotally mounted Within the container, in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid, means for causing the gun to move to a position substantially at a right angle thereto when the lid is raised, and means for causing the toy gun to simulate the firing of an actual gun when it so moves.

.4. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, a toy gun pivotally mounted on the inner side of the lid of the container and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid, a latch retaining the gun in such a position, a biasing means causing the gun to tend to pivot from the position substantially parallel to the plane of the lid to a position substantially at a right angle thereto, means for releasing the latch when the lid is raised and allowing the gun to move to the position substantially at a right angle to the plane of the lid, and means for causing the toy gun to simulate the firing of an actual gun when the lid is raised and the gun pivots.

5. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, a toy gun pivotally mounted on the inner side of the lid of the container and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid, a latch retaining the gun in such a position, a biasing means causing the gun to tend to pivot from a position substantially parallel to the plane of the lid to a position substantially at a right angle thereto, a sliding member positioned in proximity to the latch and set in motion by the movement of the lid such that the opening of the container will cause the sliding member to release the latch and allow the gun to pivot to the position sub stantially at a right angle to the plane of the lid, and means for causing the toy gun to simulate the firing of an actual gun when the lid is raised and the gun pivots.

6. A concealed-gun toy comprising a walled container having an open top, a lid for said open top, hinging means connecting said lid to one of the walls of said container, a toy gun concealed within the container and adapted to pivot to a position in which it is aimed in a direction away from said hinging means, a gun-releasing mechanism mechanically connected to said lid effective to causesaid toy gun to pivot and simulate the firing of an actual gun when the lid of said container is opened, and means for deactivating the gun-releasing mechanism such that the lid can be raised or lowered without causing the gun to fire. 7. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, a toy gun pivotally mounted on the inner side of the lid of the container and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid, a gun-releasing means for causing the gun to move from a position substantially parallel to the plane of the lid to a position substantially at a right angle thereto when the lid is raised, means for causing the gun to simulate the firing of an actual gun when it so moves, and means for deactivating the gun-releasing means such that the lid can be raised or lowered without causing the gun to pivot or fire.

8. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, a toy gun pivotally mounted on the inner side of the lid of the container and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid, a gun-releasing means for causing the gun to move from a position substantially parallel to the plane of the lid to a position substantially at a right angle thereto when the lid is raised, means for causing the gun to simulate the firing of an actual gun when it somoves, and means for deactivating the gun-releasing mechanism such that the lid can be raised or lowered without causing the gun to pivot orfire for one complete opening and closing of the lid.

9. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, a toy gun pivotally mounted on the inner side of the lid of the container and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid, a latch retaining the gun in such a position, a biasing means causing the gun to tend to pivot from a position substantially parallel to the plane of the lid to a position substantially at a right angle thereto, a sliding member positioned in proximity to the latch and set in motion by the movement of the lid such that the opening of the container will cause the sliding member to release the latch and allow the gun to move to a position substantially at a right angle to the plane of the lid, and means for changing the position of the sliding member in relation to the latch such that the movement of the sliding member as the lid is opened and closed will not release the latch.

10. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, a toy gun pivotally mounted on the inner side of the lid of the container and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid, a biasing means positioned between said gun and said lid causing the gun to tend to pivot from a position substantially parallel to the plane of the lid to a position substantially perpendicular thereto, a latch retaining the gun in the substantially parallel position and comprising a pivotally located arm having a notched platform extending therefrom, a sliding member having an extension on its edge proximal to the latch and positioned in such relation to the latch that the extension of the sliding member is in contact with the unnotched portion of the notched platform, means associated with the slidspams 1 ing member such that movement of the lid will cause movement of the sliding member and therefore movement of the latch which releases the gun, thereby allowing said gun to pivot to a position substantially at a right angle to the plane of the lid, means for changing the relative positions of the sliding member and the latch such that the sliding member will occupy a position within the opening created by the platform notch so that movement of the sliding member will not cause movement of the latch.

11. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, a toy gun pivotally mounted on the inner side of the lid of the container and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid, a latch retaining the gun in such position and comprising a pivotally mounted arm having a notched platform extending therefrom, a biasing means causing the gun to tend to pivot from the position substantially parallel to the plane of the lid to a position substantially at a right angle thereto, a sliding member positioned in proximity to the latch and set in motion by the movement of the lid such that the opening of the container will cause the sliding member to release the latch and allow the gun to move to a position substantially at a right angle to the plane of the lid, said sliding member having a notch of acontour such that the sliding contact between the sliding member and the edge of the notched platform when the lid is lowered will cause the sliding member to move back into its original position after one opening and closing of the lid, and means for changing the position of the sliding member in relation to the latchsuch that the movement of the sliding member as the lid is opened and closed will not release the latch.

12. A concealed-gun toy comprising a lidded container, said container being provided with a false bottom to create'a secret compartment therein, a toy gun pivotally mounted within the container in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lid, means for causing the gun to move from a position substantially parallel to the plane of the lid to a position substantially at a right angle thereto when the lid is raised, and means for causing the toy gun to simulate the firing of an actual gun when it so moves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 591,827 Drew Oct. 19, 1897 1,041,095 Kellogg Oct. 15, 1912 1,279,122 Kingsbury Sept. 17, 1918 2,640,297 Adams June 2, 1953 2,887,818 Zalkind' May 26, 1959 

1. A CONCEALED-GUN TOY COMPRISING A LIDDED CONTAINER, A TOY GUN CONCEALED WITHIN THE CONTAINER, AND MEANS FOR CAUSING THE TOY GUN TO PIVOT SO AS TO BE AIMED IN THE DIRECTION OF A SUPPOSED VICTIM WHILE SIMULATING THE FIRING OF AN ACTUAL GUN, WHEN THE LID IS RAISED. 